Kevin Scott uses “angry” and “devastated” to describe the situation, but he’s not talking about himself or his teammates.

Instead, Scott was referring to the rock and a hard place decision his mother, Deborah, faced in choosing between the first Ottawa Redblacks home game and the previously scheduled wedding party for his sister, Jennifer, both Friday night. (The wedding party won.)

For his part, the 30-year-old long-snapper seemed like a kid on Christmas Eve as he talked about playing in his hometown in the first Canadian Football League game here since the Ottawa Renegades played their last in November 2005.

“As a football player, you want to win every game,” Scott, who signed with the Redblacks as a free agent after spending five CFL seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. “The way I look at it is what would a win mean for the city of Ottawa.

“They haven’t had (pro) football for so long, since 2005, and for everything to come together like it has, how great everything has come together, to get this win on home field would mean the world to the city of Ottawa. It would really take all the negative things from the past and start the focus on the present and the future.”

Coincidentally, the last team to play the Renegades at Frank Clair Stadium will be the Redblacks’ first opponent at what is now called TD Place, but the Toronto Argonauts (1-2) are limping into this contest because of injuries that have sidelined most of their leading receivers.

Chad Owens became the highest-profile member of the black and double-blue after his left ankle/foot was rolled on during a punt return a week ago. Wide receiver Jason Barnes (knee) and slotback Andre Durie (broken clavicle) are also unavailable.

“You try and scale it back a little bit just so those (new) guys can go out and play fast,” Toronto quarterback Ricky Ray said after receiving his first glimpse of Lansdowne Park’s rebuilt stadium, where workers scrambled to apply finishing touches Thursday. “When you’re thinking, you’re not going to be playing as fast. If we can get them out there playing hard and knowing where they’re going to line up, they can go out there and do their thing.”

Ottawa Redblacks practice at TD Place Stadium at Lansdowne Park - just two days before their home opener.

Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen

QB Henry Burris winds up with some oncoming traffic in his way as Ottawa Redblacks practice at TD Place Stadium at Lansdowne Park - just two days before their home opener.

Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen

RB D.J. Harper pulls away from an opposing player with the ball during practice as Ottawa Redblacks practice at TD Place Stadium at Lansdowne Park - just two days before their home opener.

Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen

LB Travis Brown intercepts and runs the ball as Ottawa Redblacks practice at TD Place Stadium at Lansdowne Park - just two days before their home opener.

Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen

DL Jonathan Williams as Ottawa Redblacks practice at TD Place Stadium at Lansdowne Park - just two days before their home opener.

Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen

DL Jonathan Williams, centre, as Ottawa Redblacks practice at TD Place Stadium at Lansdowne Park - just two days before their home opener.

Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen

Linebacker Jason Pottinger as Ottawa Redblacks practice at TD Place Stadium at Lansdowne Park - just two days before their home opener.

Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen

Linebacker Jason Pottinger as Ottawa Redblacks practice at TD Place Stadium at Lansdowne Park - just two days before their home opener.

Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen

Linebacker Jason Pottinger, centre, as Ottawa Redblacks practice at TD Place Stadium at Lansdowne Park - just two days before their home opener.

Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen

Redblacks quarterback Henry Burris says, 'Wherever I play, I've always felt like we should succeed. As competitors, that's how we should be wired.'

Ottawa Redblacks practice at TD Place Stadium at Lansdowne Park on Wednesday, July 16, 2014 - just two days before their home opener on Friday.

Redblacks head coach Rick Campbell played it safe, saying the Argos still had some very good receivers and their all-star quarterback.

“They had a rough one last week,” Campbell said, referring to the Argos’ 34-15 home loss to the Calgary Stampeders, “but they always tend to respond. We are going to see them at their best regardless of who plays.”

The Redblacks are 0-2 after starting the regular season with losses to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Edmonton Eskimos, but they also haven’t played at home. Keeping emotions in check will be part of the game plan.

“Come seven o’clock tomorrow night, this is going to be a great place to be,” Campbell said. “We just need to make sure we’re good on our assignments and what we’re doing and go out there and play football.”

In contrast to the Argos, the Redblacks are relatively healthy. This week’s only changes involved adding American offensive tackle Jeraill McCuller to the active roster and shifting receiver/returner Jamill Smith to the practice roster.

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